DONATEStroke Research
Research
NICHS funds and promotes research carried out in Northern Ireland into stroke, as well as chest and cardiac illnesses. The results of research provide doctors, nurses and other health professionals with the evidence needed to both improve prevention methods and clinical services for local patients.
Some examples:
Virtual reality
NICHS funded an award-winning research project that used a virtual reality tool to help people with stroke regain the use of their limbs. The team at the University of Ulster developed revolutionary techniques to rehabilitate stroke survivors.
Stimulate swallow
This year we are funding a project to improve swallow in acute stroke patients using neuromuscular electrical stimulation. About 50 per cent of patients have difficulty swallowing after having a stroke, known as dysphagia. More rapid recovery of swallowing might reduce the risk of pneumonia, increase nutrition, reduce length of hospital stay and decrease long term complications.
Gender differences of carers
When someone suffers a stroke, their family and relatives are also affected. NICHS provides support to carers as well as stroke survivors, and as a result is funding research into the needs of carers. We are currently funding a study at the University of Ulster's School of Nursing into gender differences of how men and women cope as carers. The study is due for completion in 2010.
